Report by Tristan Wheeler

Photo by Brett Klucznik, Inglewood United

Two goals from striker Alex Salmon proved the difference as Inglewood ended Sorrento's winning streak in an entertaining game at Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The deserved 2-1 victory moved Inglewood into the top half of the table while Sorrento missed an opportunity to keep the pressure on the leading pack.

“Two-one flattered them in a way ... but you could say we weren’t good enough with our finishing. On another day we could have four or five," Inglewood coach Andy Keogh said.

Sorrento started brightly and their pressure was rewarded on seven minutes when Scott Witschge turned the ball home.

But the early goal sparked Inglewood into life and they were twice unlucky when Kenny Keogh and Ellis Healing both hit the crossbar from close range.

Their luck changed in the 34th minute however when a misunderstanding between Sorrento's Steven McDonald and Shaun Kilkelly resulted in Salmon going clean through and he rounded Gulls keeper James Morgan to score.

Inglewood remained on top early in the second half and Salmon had a shot cleared off the line, before Sorrento finally worked their way back into contention.

And they had a huge shout for a penalty on 71 minutes when a Jordan Roberts corner looked to have been deflected into a Inglewood hand but referee Steven Gregory waved play on. To make matters worse for the visitors, Inglewood went up the other end and Salmon, playing his first game of the season, fired the winner low past Morgan’s left hand.

Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell refused to blame Gregory for not awarding a spot-kick, saying: "He [the defender] had his arm outstretched, whether it hit his arm or not is difficult for me to say."

Sorrento still had a great chance to level at the death but striker Alex Morgan chipped over but there was no doubting the home side were worthy of the win. 

Inglewood United 2 (Salmon 34min, 72)
Sorrento FC 1 (Witschge 7)
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Anthony Walsh, Sime Lozic

Inglewood United: 1. Alex DUNN, 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS (17. Rikki SMITH 74) 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 5. Scott ROBERTSON, 7. Kenny KEOGH (c) 8. Jason BARRERA (15. Brian FARRELL 64), 9. Alex SALMON, 10. Ash ROSINDALE (16. Jamie MURPHY 85) 11. Ellis HEALING, 14. Hanafi GHAZILI, 23. Brian WOODALL
Substitutes not used: 21. Michael COHEN, 3. David CYRUS
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN, 6. Daryl PLATTEN 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 7. Alex Morgan, 10. Jordan ROBERTS, 11. Timothy HILL 13. Steve MCDONALD (23. Cameron TEECE 88) 14. Scott WITSCHGE (21. Godwin DARKWA 49), 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 19. Jack SALTER.
Substitutes not used: 60. Anastasis FARSALEAS, 18. Jordan BROWN, 20. Brad MCDONALD.
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil